A New View From The Stable

A friend, Jeff Brothers, posted this information he authored on his Facebook page back in 2011.  It was so insightful.  It stuck with me.  He reposted it this Christmas.  I read it again still amazed at the wonder of it all.

This morning I thought of it again so I decided to paste his post here.  It is a pattern for me to follow as I pursue a similar type question on another person in the Christmas story.  More on that another day.  For now enjoy a new view from the stable ...

A belated Merry Christmas to everyone!

Bethlehem Insight: Very Rich

December 19, 2011 at 1:22pm

Who were the shepherds who first received the news of the birth of the Messiah?

A thought came to me. Why did the Heavenly Host appear to the shepherds in the field who were watching their flock by night. After Yeshua was born there appeared to the shepherds an angel/messenger of the Lord saying, "Fear not for behold I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all of the people. For to you is born this day in the town of David (Bethlehem) a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah/Passover Lamb) the Lord! And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]; you find a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger [feeding trough]."
Story account in Luke 2:1-20

So why these shepherds. We know that God does nothing without purpose and every detail is complete. So why did the angels proclaim the birth of the Christ to these particular shepherds?

I started wondering if maybe these shepherds were raising temple lambs. Ones that would be sacrificed at the next Passover. From Hebrew tradition and records Bethlehem did have flocks of sheep being raised for temple sacrifices. I found many articles and have added part of one in this blog.

We know through scripture that the Lord provided the sacrifice for Abraham when he was to offer Isaac. We know that in Genesis 22:14 the Lord says I will provide the sacrifice.
We also know that Yeshua is the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. He was born in the place where the sacrificial lambs were being raised.

Here's part of one of many articles I have found:

The popular conception that the word "manger" refers to a trough where animals were fed may be accurate. However, it could mean simply a stall. The Greek word, which is translated in our English Bibles "manger" is Yatnh phat-ne (pronounced fat'-nay). The definition of the word is of a "stall" where animals are kept and in Luke 13:15 is translated as such. In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) the word means a stall or a crib (See Proverbs 14:4). The question is what kind of "stall" or manger is the New Testament referring to and what kind of animal was fed or housed there.

Although the New Testament does not tell us where in Bethlehem Jesus was born, the Old Testament does. Micah 4:8 states, "And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." ....

The phrase "tower of the flock" is the Hebrew phrase "Migdal Edar" [mig-dawl ay-der] and means a "watch tower of the flock." In ancient times this was a military tower to view into the valley just outside of Bethlehem to protect the city. Several of these military towers are recorded in the Old Testament (See Judges 8:71, 9:46, 9:51; 2 Kings 9:17, 18:8; Nehemiah 3:1) The tower at Bethlehem is first mentioned in Genesis 35:21, "And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar ("tower of Edar" - migdal edar). After Jacob left Bethel he came to Edar (the tower) and there Rachael began hard labor and as she delivered Benjamin she died and was buried there in Ephrath which is Bethlehem" (Gen. 35:19). After burying Rachael, Jacob moved his flocks beyond the tower of Edar. This would pinpoint the location as being near to what is present day Bethlehem. Clearly, this establishes that Migdal Edar, "the tower of the flock" was in Bethlehem in Bible times.

This watchtower from ancient times was used by the shepherds for protection from their enemies and wild beasts. It was the place ewes were brought to give birth to the lambs. In this sheltered building/cave the priests would bring in the ewes which were about to lamb for protection. These special lambs came from a unique flock, which was designated for sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem.

According to Edersheim in The Life And Times Of Jesus The Messiah, in Book 2, Chapter 6, states, "This Migdal Eder was not the watchtower for the ordinary flocks that pastured on the barren sheep ground beyond Bethlehem, but it lay close to the town, on the road to Jerusalem. A passage from the Mishnah (Shekelim 7:4) leads to the conclusion that the flocks which pastured there were destined for Temple sacrifices..."

In addition, Migdal Eder is also mentioned by the Targums and is translated "The Anointed One of the flock of Israel". Thus, Targum Yonatan, cited by Rabbi Munk, paraphrases Genesis 35:23 and Micah 4:8, "He spread his tent beyond Migdal Eder, the place where King Messiah will reveal Himself at the end of days." What are we to make of all of this information from the writings of the rabbis? First, we know that Migdal Eder was the watchtower that guarded the Temple flocks that were being raised to serve as sacrificial animals in the Temple. These were not just any flock and herd. The shepherds who kept them were men who were specifically trained for this royal task. They were educated in what an animal, that was to be sacrificed, had to be and it was their job to make sure that none of the animals were hurt, damaged, or blemished." These lambs were apparently wrapped in "swaddling cloths" to protect them from injury – the same type of cloths used to wrap the baby Jesus.

Thus, with the establishment of Temple worship in Jerusalem, the fields outside of Bethlehem became the place where a special group of shepherds raised the lambs that were sacrificed in the Temple. Being themselves under special Rabbinical care, they would strictly maintain a ceremonially clean stable for a birthing place. The Tower of the Flock was used for birthing ewes, and the surrounding fields were where these shepherds grazed their flocks. These shepherds customarily kept their flocks outdoors twenty-four hours a day every day of the year, but brought the ewes in to deliver their lambs where they could be carefully cared. It was to this place that Joseph took Mary. It was in this special stable at "Migdal Edar" that Christ was born! How do we know? The Micah 4:8 tells us so!

Prophetically, "Migdal Edar" is the exact place in Bethlehem for Christ to be born. Micah was God's prophet who was warning Israel of the coming captivity. He used the authenticating prophecy of the Assyrian captivity of the Northern Kingdom (soon to occur when he foretold it) to serve as a reminder to Israel of God's promised Kingdom. God wanted them to know that even though they would be taken from their land because of their disobedience that He would restore them in time. Micah 4:7 establishes the context of the passage and clearly is a Messianic prophecy of the coming of the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus Christ will reign over Jerusalem forever. ". . .LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever." In other words God was assuring Israel that He would fulfill His promises to them of the Kingdom. In Micah 4:8 the word is rendered "tower of the flock" (marg., "Edar"), and is used as a designation of Bethlehem, which figuratively represents the royal line of David as sprung from Bethlehem.

In this setting, Micah (Micah 4:8) uses the prophecy of the Babylonian captivity of the Southern Kingdom as a pledge to guarantee (authenticating prophecy) of the birth of Christ at "Migdal Edar" at Bethlehem which is exactly where it took place! Micah prophesied that as surely as Assyrians would soon carry away Israel in the North, so the Messiah would come and establish His kingdom, the "first dominion, the kingdom shall come to Jerusalem." The verse states that as surely as Babylon would carry away the Judah, in the South, into captivity, so the Messiah would arrive at the Tower of the Flock. This prophecy was but one other evidence that later proved that Jesus was the Messiah, but one that Israel ignored in rejecting Him as their Messiah.

Who were the shepherds who first received the news of the birth of the Messiah?

Luke 2:8-18 records that there were shepherds in the fields keeping watch over their sheep by night. Who then were these shepherds? Without question these were shepherds who resided near Bethlehem They were none other but the shepherds from "Migdal Edar" who were well aware that the Targum hinted and many of the rabbis taught that Messiah might well be announced from "Migdal Edar" at Bethlehem. The angels only told the shepherds that they would find the Babe wrapped in "swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." There was no need for the angels to give these shepherds directions to the birth place because they all ready knew. These were the men who raised sacrificial lambs that were sacrificed in the Temple. When the angelic announcement came, they knew exactly where to go, as Luke 2 indicates, for the sign of a manger could only mean their manger at the tower of the flock! You cannot explain the meaning or direction of the sign they were given or their response unless you have the right manger and the right shepherds!

Typically, "Migdal Edar", (the tower of the flock) at Bethlehem is the perfect place for Christ to be born. He was born in the very birthplace where tens of thousands of lambs, which had been sacrificed to prefigure Him. God promised it, pictured it and performed it at "Migdal Edar". It all fits together, for that's the place the place where sacrificial lambs were born! Jesus was not born behind an inn, in a smelly stable where the donkeys of travelers and other animals were kept. He was born in Bethlehem, at the birthing place of the sacrificial lambs that were offered in the Temple in Jerusalem which Micah 4:8 calls the "tower of the flock."

John the Baptist in John 1:29 proclaimed of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." Jesus is presented in the Bible as being "in type" as a sacrificial lamb. It was not by chance but by choice that Christ identified His death with the time of the observance of the Passover. Peter spoke of our redemption as wrought by the "precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot"( 1 Pet. 1:19); and Paul told us that "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" ( 1 Cor. 5:7). Even the first fulfilled type by which Christ is to be revealed in Heaven is as the Lamb (Rev. 5:6-13).

God in Micah 4:8 prophetically foretold that Jesus the Messiah would be born at the Tower of the Flock (Migdal Edar) in the place where the lambs were raised that were used in the Temple sacrifices in Jerusalem approximately three miles away. It was to the shepherds that tended these special flocks that the angels appeared to and first proclaimed the birth of the Messiah, Jesus. Luke's account does not record that the angels told the shepherds where the manger was, because they already knew where the lambs were born. It was in the "tower of the flock", where there were ceremonially clean stalls, carefully maintained by Temple priests who oversaw the birth of each lamb. It certainly was not a smelly unclean stable full of donkeys and other animals. This was a special sheep birthing place where Jesus, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" was born. (John 1:29, 36). God in His plan could not have chosen a more appropriate place for the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(End of this article)

So you can see that nothing happened without a perfected design. Right down to very letter. The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world - was born among the other Passover lambs.

Only thing - He would be the Only Passover Lamb once and for ALL!


P.S.  You can read about Jeff's latest book at http://www.singled-in.net/.

The Giving Tree

I had a unique experience in the library a few weeks ago. I was helping my daughter gather some books for her science paper. We start with children's books since they distill loads of information down to manageable nuggets.

The librarian brought me a book with the biggest grin on her face. She said to me that it was her most favorite book on trees. It was a fiction book, not what I needed, but her joy made me so curious I checked it out.

The Giving Tree was written by Shel Silverstein. The tree analogy was a bit weird but it did express the giving roll of a parent to me, and I saw the selfishness in the child turned man which was disheartening.

I asked my daughter to read it to see if she had the same sad but sweet emotional reaction I did. She liked it but it did not move her emotionally. She did decide to use it in her paper. This should be interesting.

Curious about the author I looked up his web site. There they recount this book had a hard time becoming published because some people felt the book fell between adult and children's literature. Harper & Row finally published it in 1964.

But then ... digging deeper I saw controversy over this book. Lovers and haters all weighting in. Plus analysis of his life experience to book theme. Wow, who knew?

For music lovers, this is the same guy who wrote  “A Boy Named Sue” for Johnny Cash and “The Cover of the Rolling Stone,” sung by Dr. Hook.  Who knew that?

All prayers are appreciated for a new song. The idea has been rattling around in my head for more than 15 years.

I hate suspense.

Below is a post from Susan Gregory of The Daniel Fast at daniel-fast.com. When I saw it in her newsletter I was intrigued enough to begin to read it. But, I hate suspense. So, when she said to write before looking at part two I just could not do it.  I went ahead and read.  Her message still slapped me in the face. She was right. I am not going to spoil it for you. Read on.

Let me present to you a simple little exercise that will reap many benefits to your life. Plus, using this tool will help strengthen the most important relationships in your life. 

Take a sheet of paper (really, don’t just try to do this in your head; it won’t work). On the paper, make a list of 10-20 qualities and characteristics you want your spouse, close friend, or other important relation to exhibit. 

For example, you might include honesty, confident, forgiving, funny, friendly, etc. 

Make the list. That’s part one of this exercise. If you want the full advantage of this exercise, you’ll make your list right now before reading the rest of this article. So go do it! Make your list . . .

Now, read about the second part of the exercise . . . 

Review the list carefully thinking about each of the characteristics you want from your loved one. And now here’s the big deal . . . 

BE the List! You BE those same characteristics to your spouse or your friend or your co-worker. What you want from them, be that way first! 

So often we grumble and complain about how we’re being treated. Or maybe we feel like we’re not being loved enough or in a way that feeds us. It’s so easy to look outward and even getting into a little blaming. Oh, I feel a scripture coming on! 

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

Luke 6:42

I’m not saying we’re hypocritical when we’re being that way. However, I do think we are in a much better place when we look at what we can do rather than wait for others. So take your list. Choose a couple of character qualities that you want others to display to you . . . and instead give them to those you love and care about. Behave that way consistently. Plant seeds of kindness, love, joy, and caring. My guess is that you truly will reap what you sow. And everyone involved will be better off!

A Change In Thinking

There has been a shift, a shift in the way I view this blog. It is not about my mistakes. It is about my learning. The thought came to me quietly as I typed a recent post. It is my learning that is important. I don't feel so bad now. I am learning!

I hope you are too. I know these topics seem so random, but when I have a "light comes on" moment, those are the topics I am sharing with you. I do it in part to help me remember because explaining it to you adds a new layer of recall for me. I hope you don't mind me sharing a part of my mind with you.

How do you like that equivocation on the word "mind"? Well, I know it is not a part of a misleading argument, but I do want to give a shout out to Classical Conversations for using the book The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn in their Challenge curriculum.

My daughter and I are enjoying it's content and teaching style. It is for ages twelve through adult. Check it out. I have never studied logic before so it is quite an eye opener to the world around me. "Whoomp, there it is" ... another shift in thinking.

The Good Lie

I have to return a movie to the library today. So I thought it would be a good day to write about it. I have been mulling it over for several days now. One critic said it is a movie that simultaneously enlightens and inspires. It does that and left me silent.

What I saw was the power of the gospel. What I saw was the power of sacrifices. What I saw was that I have much more room to grow in both areas. The movie so stuck a cord with me that during it I found myself starting to pray about the needs of the characters. I had to remind myself this is just a movie. This stuff has already happened.

"In 1983, orphans of the civil war in Sudan, known as The Lost Boys, traveled nearly a thousand miles on foot, enduring unspeakable circumstances in search of refuge. Over a decade later, a humanitarian effort would bring thousands of these survivors to America. The Good Lie is the uplifting, true-to-life tale of four friends' journey from their devastated homeland to the foreign world that is modern America, and the people who helped empower them to begin again." (Movie Jacket)

The movie is PG-13, and I started making my 13-year-old watch it with me. Just the first few minutes about the civil war were enough for me to let her move on to another activity for the evening. Parents, the scenes are not graphic. It was because of the heartache that comes with them that I was glad she did not watch the whole movie.

Refuges are now on my radar thanks to this movie. I have learned more about something I never thought about. Now that is something.

Official Movie Trailer

Husband Love

Dear Lord,

What would you like to say to me today? I am listening.

If you speak in the tongues of humans and of angels ...

Wait a minute, Lord. I'm tired of this chapter. I know it by heart.

... but don't communicate love to your husband in a way he understands, you are only a nagging nuisance, and irritating noise.

Well, okay. I do nag now and then ...

If you give all you can to him -- pick up his socks, make his favorite dinners, give your energy to make his dreams come true --

That's it, Lord. I give and give to this marriage -- and I hardly remember who am I or what I wanted ...

... but he doesn't feel loved by you, you aren't accomplishing anything.

Now wait, Lord. I said I give almost everything for him. That should count for something.

Love is patient: love is kind.

But that's not always possible! He's so completely, frustratingly ... male! He gets glued all weekend to TV sports. Or, he disappears into the garage. I wish I had that kind of luxury. I wish I had a wife ...

Love doesn't envy or boast.

You're right, Lord. I'm not better than he is. And I have my own ideas about fun and relaxation.

Love doesn't put its own needs first.

Lord, I do want to serve and honor my husband -- even when his needs are directly opposite of mine. Help me to remember that when I'm willing to meet his needs first, he's usually eager to serve me too. Help me see the big picture when it doesn't seem to be working out that way and my blood pressure starts to rise.

Love doesn't get angry or keep score.

Yes, Lord!  Help me to stop trying to remake my guy into some perfect husband that doesn't even exist. Help me. He tries hard. He comes home every night. He cares about our family. He wants to do what's right. He wants to honor You ...

Love always works hard to believe the best, to trust the motives of others.

You've given me a good man, Lord. Give me Your strength to love him well -- to believe in his good intentions and to trust what You're doing in his life.

Thank you, Father, for this husband of mine.

Love never gives up or gives out.

Please give me many more years of Monday Night football with the man I love. May we always bless each with Your "most excellent way."

Amen.

This prayer is number 106 from Praying the Bible for Your Marriage by David and Heather Kopp. Thought I would share it with you because the day I read it I needed to get my eyes off myself once again!

Did You Know?

Did you know the 39 days were over? Did you know I only wrote 8 posts?

Did you know that every post of this blog in the 39 days had at least one reader? Did you know one post reached a readership high point of six people?

Did you know I received the first comment ever on a post in those 39 days? Did you know I am excited?

I may not have set the world on fire with my public failures, simple thoughts, and low readership numbers, but I did gain ground in my walk with the Lord.

Just yesterday Joyce Meyer's chapter was on gaining ground little by little. She quoted Deuteronomy 7:22.

And the Lord your God will clear out those nations before you, little by little, you may not consume them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase among you.

She says that that is the secret of a victorious Christian life - inching forward over months and years. That is humbling and encouraging. If you make a mistake, get up to try it again.

Blog. Blog. Blog. I had 31 days of failure. Six people, do you hear me? I made mistakes, but God loves me anyway and helps me get back on the right track.

And here is what I am adding to her lesson  ... Don't disdain others who are not making progress at your pace. Remember we are all behind Jesus in that! Pride is a nasty beast that will consume each one of us. Beware!

Anticipatory Grief

Did you know that even existed? I did not until today. Anticipatory grief or expected grief is grieving a loss before the loss happens.

After the death of a loved one, society has cultural norms about how to response. There are even widely recognized steps in the grieving process. According to the booklet I was given today, "Society does not fully understand and recognize expected grief, so it is not clear how we are suppose to act and feel (p.2)."

My mother is under hospice care, and this booklet gave credibility to the range of emotions I have seen in myself and my family. This quote on page 7 puts so much in perspective. "One moment you may be giving them permission to die and in the next you may be encouraging them to take another sip of juice (to live)." (My emphasis added.)

The writer of the booklet even quoted Edgar Allen Poe and his experience with his wife. I have though very little about that writer since high school English class. "Nevermore," said in a scary deep voice. Never though I would have something in common with him.

Source: Anticipatory Grief: Expecting The Loss, Feeling The Pain by Marty Hogan, LCSW, MSW

The Candy Man

My daughter has been asking to buy some of the Brookside candies. I told her she would have to wait because they are expensive. Several weeks have past and every time I saw that candy I though of her request. I received a coupon from CVS for the $2 off candy pouches on Monday, and this week they even have the Brookside brand on sale. I was happy. I can purchase them for that price. My daughter will be thrilled.

Then out of the blue the thought came  ... that is like God. He knows the right time to answer prayers. My daughter probably only saw my answer as a "No." She did not know how often I thought about her want and my desire to fill it. God knows the big picture (just like my finances) and he too longs to give me good gifts even though I too don't see it (just like me with my daughter's request).

Now that the right time (i.e. the right price) has come I get to buy the candy for my daughter. God knows all the circumstances around our requests, and he too waits for the best and right time to answer.

I am going to buy that candy today, and I see the goodness of God and his love for me just a little clearer!

The Doctor is In

Here is yesterday's "show stopper" from the Joyce Meyer study. It is her interpretation of Proverbs 23:7.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

She says on page 27 that our thoughts are so powerful that they have creative ability. As I reflected on that statement, I shook my head to clear the cob webs. Your thoughts ... they can make something? My previous view was that they affect (to act upon or have an influence on) you in some way, not that they create. My thoughts have the ability to create what I say and what I do. They effect me. They bring about or create. That IS powerful.

Again I see the sheer need to be in God's word. A few days ago it was to gain wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Now it is to develop right thinking to create right actions. But, did I get up when my alarm went off to do today's study? No. I hit the snooze a few times and then turned the clock off completely. I missed another morning to gain.

Meyer even goes as far to say that right thinking compares to a heartbeat or blood pressure. We call these indicators vital signs. Right thinking is vital to our spiritual life.

Watching vitals signs is one indicator of coming death. I know that "watch" right now with my Mom. Maybe that is why the analogy stuck a cord with me. Do you want an indicator of your spiritual vitals? Take note of what are you speaking out to friends, family or even yourself. We speak out loud what we think.

I have one of those to work on. I also must go to bed earlier so that I am not so tired to miss my "morning meeting."

Who is Winning?

I started a new Bible study today. It is Battlefield of the Mind Strategy Guide by Joyce Meyer. My Mom had it in her stack of books so I thought I would give it a go.  Day One yielded two new insights.


One, Myer's translation of Mark 4:42 stopped me in my tracks. "The measure [thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you (p.10)." The amount of time I spend in God's word is exactly how much wisdom I get. Why do I stay in the bed in the mornings?  I am limiting myself!


The second one is what I saw in 1 Corinthians 10:13 for the first time. She asked on page 18, "What does this verse say about God and the temptations and trials we encounter while tearing down strongholds?" I had always read it from my perspective, not about God.


No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.


I already knew about the way of escape being made. But this is what I put together for the first time ... God is faithful!!! It is written right there in the middle of the verse and in the middle of any trial or temptation!!!! GOD IS FAITHFUL. He understands all of the enemies schemes. He understands the "common to man" stuff all the way to the cosmic powers (Ephesians 6:12)! AND, He protects me. He knows my limits. He has the enemy under his control even to the limits of the temptation. He is in complete control.


I wonder what tomorrow will hold.  I had better get up!!!  I need more God.

Nonsense and Bible Study Recap

I am here!  I remembered to do it.  Thank you, Lord, for reminding me.


I really have nothing to share. I had a good time in the word of God this morning. I have had several dreams and gained some understanding of them. Used my homemade deodorant and keep thinking someone might enjoy the recipe some day. Cut my knuckle creating spaghetti noodles out of a zucchini.



Oh yea, I remember now, I was going to update you on our Bible Studies since last summer.  Let's see. ...


Well, several days and the holiday weekend came and went since I started this post. Finally got back to it today. Our group completed the following two studies. Both were repeats for me but as usual with God the student still has much to learn.















Here and Now...There and Then by Beth Moore is a lecture series on the book of Revelation. Beth presents many points of view, allowing women to decide for themselves when the interpretation varies among scholars. She teaches that God is as specific about what He does reveal as He is about what He does not reveal. Each of the 11 sessions is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The set includes 11 DVDs and one listening guide with light homework.


Thanks, Lifeway, for the images and descriptions.


The Revelation study has taken this little group full circle back to where we started in that hotel exercise room freezing in the cold.  I am pondering what will come next.

Walking on Water

Tips for When You're Walking on Water

 

"So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:29, 30

 

 

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have experiences when we "step out in faith." The account of Peter getting out of the boat and stepping into the rough waters is surely a great example for us to use as we go through life.
 
Peter was the only one who stepped out in faith on that stormy night. We also will find ourselves in that same lonely place at times. God will call us through His Word, just like Jesus called Peter to come. But we may be the only one. Our friends may be content with business as usual. Our family members may be willing to just stay in the boat. But meanwhile, we will hear the voice of the Lord telling us to step out in faith.
 
The Scripture doesn't say how the others reacted when Peter first got out of the boat. But it's totally plausible that they tried to keep him from stepping out. After all, they were sitting there frightened from the storm and scared of the sight of Jesus who they thought was a ghost.
 
But Peter heard the voice and he stepped out anyway . . . he paid no attention to the voices in the background. He only listened to the voice of the Lord.
 
Peter did fine, until he got his eyes back on the circumstances of the boisterous waves. Then he abandoned his faith and took up fear . . . that's when he started sinking. It was the fear that put him back in the clutches of the world and its deadly consequences.
 
Peter could have gone with the fear, but it was his faith in Jesus that got him back on track! Even while he was sinking he stirred up his faith again and called out to the Lord. The Lord rebuked Peter for his lack of faith (a rebuke means "sharp words to cause correction") and then reached out and pulled him up so he could continue in his walk of faith.
 
We are faced with times when we must step out in faith. These are the times when we must keep our ears and eyes open to the Lord and Him only. We cannot let negative voices, unbelieving comments, or stormy circumstances drown out the Word of the Lord.
 
The storms will come, but Christ will always be there for us. We must look to Him, ask Him to show us what to do, and when He does, we must confidently step out in faith and walk in the Spirit. If we make a mistake and fall back, we need only to call upon the Lord, take corrective measures, and continue our walk on to victory and success!



The above devotional is by Susan Gregory, the author of The Daniel Fast at daniel-fast.com. I have shared it with my husband and daughter because it gave me new thoughts on this story from scripture. I never thought about the other disciples in the boat, and I had never thought about the victory Peter had. I have heard teaching after teaching about Peter's failure to keep his eyes on Jesus.

But, People, he did it. He did it. You may be thinking "Yea. Yea at the beginning."

No. What stuck me today was after the failure. He walked with Jesus back to the boat! That is how we are meant to do it. To walk with Jesus. With Jesus!

Yes, Lord, here I am again failing to do what I feel you asked me to do. Help me to have faith that this blog will turn out well because all I see is being hurt by it.

AAUGH ...

Just this morning (August 24) I was praying for someone and told the Lord I understood because I had done the same things, and we both needed His help.

I said, "Remind me, Lord, of what I need to finish." What was the first thing to come to my mind. Aaugh ... this blog. So here I am committing to write an entry every day for the next 39 days.

After I worked through those same old fearful thoughts that I have written about before, I remembered the suggestion Beth Moore gave at the start of her lecture series on Revelation to journal each day where you saw the Lord. I think I will try that for these entries.

I never got back to this to post what I wrote, and here it is September 2.

Day 38 - Failure
Day 37 - Failure
Day 36 - Failure
Day 35 - Failure
Day 34 - Failure
Day 33 - Failure
Day 32 - Failure
Day 30 - Failure

Aaugh!